☆ Colorado Mounted Thunder ☆
February 25, 2024
What do horses, guns, and balloons have in common? They are all a part of a mounted shooting event! I went to my first event over this past weekend and watched the incredibly talented riders of the Colorado Mounted Thunder go all out!
What is mounted shooting? Well, just as it sounds, it is shooting at targets from horseback. The targets aren’t moving, but the horses sure are! I couldn’t believe how fast the horses were flying and how frequently the balloons got popped as the riders made their way through a pattern in the arena. There are dozens and dozens of patterns/arena configurations that can be arranged to test the agility and speed of each participant.
Oh, and did I mention, they are timed doing this? So every rider is trying to go faster and faster! At one point, I witnessed a team get around the arena, following a pattern, and shooting at & popping about 10 balloons, then making it back across the finish line in under 12 seconds! The video below gives you a taste of the speed of it all.
I also couldn’t believe how many riders were at the event! I read on the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association website that mounted shooting is now the fastest growing equestrian sport in the nation. It’s easy to see why too. The riders themselves can be almost any age! I think I saw riders as young as 12 and many well into their later years. Any horse or mule is allowed (assuming they are a safe mount), and there are several levels of competition based on a participant’s experience & comfort. See below for some of my favorite images from the event!
We know the art of shooting from horseback has been around for centuries, as horses have been an integral part of hunting, and most human wars were fought that way. Per the Northwest Horse Source, the sport of mounted shooting began in 1992 by Jim Rodgers, who had a bit of an obsession with a Colt Single Action Army Revolver. By 1994, the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association was formed. Now there are organizations for mounted shooting in many states. Also, per the site, shooters can begin as young as age 4, and many are still participating well into their 80’s!
If you are interested in watching one of these events, you can check the Colorado Mounted Thunder calendar on their website. It was a very warm, welcoming event, well organized, and FUN to watch!
The next event is March 23rd, and starts about 9:30 am at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Maybe I’ll see you there!